The Seneca Nation kicked off pride month with a flag raising at both the William Seneca Building and Seneca Allegany Administration Building on June 1st. President Seneca and First Lady Nicole Seneca introduced guest speakers that provided information, encouragement, and work within the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2021, a resolution was passed declaring June as Seneca Pride Month. This resolution also affirmed the right to nondiscrimination of Seneca LGBTQIA2S+ members, cementing the Nation’s commitment to “fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion, fairness, and equality, and [that] members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”
Pride month is a reminder that justice, decolonization, and liberation are deeply connected. June is a time to celebrate, learn, and stand in solidarity.
2026 marks the sixth year the Seneca Nation has raised a pride flag from a grassroots effort intiated by Olivia Maybee. Designed by Olivia, this flag incorporates the LGTBQ+, 2 spirit relatives, the Seneca and Indigenous community. Olivia pushed the flag raisings to give representation and inclusion of LGTBQ+ relatives on Seneca territories. Each year, the pride flag raising event continues to grow in participants, speakers, and support. If you would like to lend your support and effort to this yearly event, please email Olivia Maybee at Olivia.Maybee@sni.org or oliviamaybee99@gmail.com.
Speakers included Elias Bova-Schmidt, Esq., MSW, a first descendant Seneca from Ohi:yo’ and transgender. Elias is directly involved in LGBTQ+ organizations, and presents on behalf of the Center for Reproductive Rights specifically on Abortion Access in New York and Considerations for Trans Abortion Seekers. Taylor Seneca shared her lived experience and journey as a gay woman on Seneca territories. She is also a proud Indigenous sister, stepmother, friend, and daughter that is getting married to her long term partner soon while continuing to honor her community and culture. Juddson Logan shared traditional knowledge based on nature, equality, and love.
Olivia Maybee, Mitch Kelly, and Maria Maybee were speakers as well.
“We raise this flag today and remember that LGBTQ+ relatives have always here in our communities and communities across Turtle Island; honored, present and whole. It is an act of saying we belong to this Nation. You are a part of this fabric, and I am so thankful to have you all here,” shared Logan.
